20 hrs/week
Under 16
$194.60/wk · $10,119.20/yr
Age 18
$361.20/wk · $18,782.40/yr
All Australia minimum wage comparisons
Age 18 +$8.33/hr · 2026
Under 16vsAge 18Minimum Wage 2026
In 2026, Age 18 wins on the National Minimum Wage floor: $18.06/hour vs $9.73/hour for Under 16 — a gap of $8.33/hour. At full-time (38 ordinary hours/week), that is roughly $16,460.60 more gross income per year before tax. Most workers are on modern awards that may pay more; use our hourly and Australia tax calculators for take-home.
By Sammy S. · Founder · AuthorUpdated for 2026
$9.73Under 16
$18.06Age 18
$8.33Hourly gap
$16,460.60FT annual gap
Age 18 has the higher statutory minimum wage
$18.06/hr vs $9.73/hr — a $8.33/hr gap ($16,460.60/yr FT gross).
Age 18 wins · 2026
Under 16
$9.73/hr
$19,229.60/yr FT · effective 1 July 2026
Age 18
Winner$18.06/hr
$35,690.20/yr FT · effective 1 July 2026
Gap: $8.33/hr · $16,460.60/yr FT ($1,371.72/mo)
Why Age 18 wins
- Age 18's rate is $8.33/hr higher ($18.06 vs $9.73).
- At 38 ordinary hours/week, that is about $16,460.60 more gross pay per year ($1,371.72/month).
- Eligibility: Award/agreement-free employees aged 18 vs Award/agreement-free employees under 16 years of age.
- These figures are national-system National Minimum Wage floors — modern awards may set higher classification rates.
Side-by-side metrics
| Metric | Under 16 | Age 18 |
|---|---|---|
| National Minimum Wage | $9.73/hr | $18.06/hr |
| FT annual gross (38×52) | $19,229.60 | $35,690.20 |
| Adult National Minimum Wage | No | No |
| Casual loading band | No | No |
| Eligibility | Award/agreement-free employees under 16 years of age | Award/agreement-free employees aged 18 |
Pay by hours/week
Gross pay at each band's National Minimum Wage floor (before tax). Full-time ordinary hours are 38.
| Hours | Under 16 / wk | Age 18 / wk | Under 16 / yr | Age 18 / yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 20 hrs | $194.60 | $361.20 | $10,119.20 | $18,782.40 |
| 30 hrs | $291.90 | $541.80 | $15,178.80 | $28,173.60 |
| 38 hrs | $369.80 | $686.35 | $19,229.60 | $35,690.20 |
30 hrs/week
Under 16
$291.90/wk · $15,178.80/yr
Age 18
$541.80/wk · $28,173.60/yr
38 hrs/week
Under 16
$369.80/wk · $19,229.60/yr
Age 18
$686.35/wk · $35,690.20/yr
Pros & caveats
Under 16
Pros
- Award/agreement-free employees under 16 years of age
Cons / caveats
- Lower floor than Age 18 ($9.73 vs $18.06)
- Special National Minimum Wage 3 for juniors: 36.8% of the adult weekly National Minimum Wage, converted to an hourly …
Age 18
Pros
- Higher National Minimum Wage floor ($18.06 vs $9.73)
- Award/agreement-free employees aged 18
Cons / caveats
- Special National Minimum Wage 3 for juniors: 68.3% of the adult weekly National Minimum Wage, converted to an hourly …
Planning guide
How to read the Under 16 vs Age 18 minimum wage comparison
Age 18 has the higher National Minimum Wage floor in 2026. Check eligibility, awards, and take-home tools before deciding which band applies.
Wage floor
Under 16 $9.73/hr vs Age 18 $18.06/hr
FT annual gap
$16,460.60/yr before tax
38 ordinary hours
Official adult weekly National Minimum Wage uses 38 hours — not 40
Adult NMW context
Adult National Minimum Wage (21+) is $26.44/hr
Before you use this Under 16 vs Age 18 wage gap
Confirm eligibility
Age, casual status, and award coverage determine which floor or award rate applies.
Check awards first
Most workers are on a modern award that may pay more than the National Minimum Wage safety-net.
Check effective dates
Rates are for 2026. National Minimum Wage usually updates after the Annual Wage Review (1 July).
Model take-home next
Convert hours with the hourly calculator, then compare Australia tax take-home for net pay.
National Minimum Wage vs modern awards
The adult National Minimum Wage ($26.44/hour for award/agreement-free employees aged 21+) is a safety-net floor. Modern awards and enterprise agreements usually set classification rates at or above this floor. This duel ranks National Minimum Wage Order bands only.
Overview
In 2026, Age 18 wins on the National Minimum Wage floor: $18.06/hour vs $9.73/hour for Under 16 — a gap of $8.33/hour. At full-time (38 ordinary hours/week), that is roughly $16,460.60 more gross income per year before tax. Most workers are on modern awards that may pay more; use our hourly and Australia tax calculators for take-home.
FAQ
Age 18 is higher at $18.06/hour versus $9.73 for Under 16 ($8.33/hr gap).
About $16,460.60 more gross per year at 38 ordinary hours/week ($1,371.72/month), before tax.
Under 16: Award/agreement-free employees under 16 years of age. Age 18: Award/agreement-free employees aged 18.
Not always. The National Minimum Wage is a safety-net for award/agreement-free employees. Modern awards often set higher classification rates — confirm with the Fair Work Ombudsman.
Yes. Rates reflect our 2026 Australia National Minimum Wage tracker (last reviewed against Fair Work Commission National Minimum Wage Order publications). Rates usually change after the Annual Wage Review — verify before payroll changes.
Convert hours with our hourly salary calculator, then run the result through the Australia tax calculator. Minimum wage figures here are gross floors, not net pay. Superannuation is usually separate — see the superannuation calculator.
Australia’s official adult National Minimum Wage weekly figure is expressed for 38 ordinary hours. This comparison uses that standard for full-time annual gaps (weekly rate × 52).
The ladder shows weekly and annual gross at 20, 30, and 38 hours using each band's National Minimum Wage rate. It helps translate the hourly gap into cash flow before tax — overtime, loadings beyond the listed casual rate, and tips are not included.
Use related links below, the reverse matchup (Age 18 vs Under 16), or the Australia minimum wage compare hub picker for any two bands.
Compare take-home too
Wage floors are only half the story. See Australia tax calculator and the superannuation calculator for take-home and SG at the same salary.
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